'Moana' In 3D & 2D Both Offer Something Special For The Viewer

Back during the Disney Renaissance, there was only one kind of animated movie being made, and it was with traditional, hand-drawn, 2D animation. There was never a question of whether it was worth it to see a movie in 3D because 3D animated movies weren't really a thing. But times have changed. Disney hasn't made a 2D animated film since 2011's Winnie the Pooh, and instead churns out 3D computer animated fare like Frozen, Zootopia, and their newest feature, Moana. The new film boasts some of Disney's most beautiful animation ever, but should you see Moana in 3D?

I'm going to have to say that for most people, the answer is yes. 3D animated films are just about always a solid bet for buying a 3D ticket because they're originally rendered in 3D, meaning that's the way the film was meant to be seen. In addition to that production fact, there's also the detail of Moana's animation itself. The movie takes place mostly on the Pacific Ocean, and you've never seen water animated like this. It's incredible, and totally gorgeous, and really deserves to be seen in 3D in order to fully appreciate the amazing detail that went into its creation. There's also lots of bright colors, action sequences, and monsters that make for a pretty thrilling experience in 3D.

However, there may also be a reason that some traditionalists may want to hold off on putting on their 3D glasses. While it's true that Disney hasn't put out a full-length 2D animated feature in five years, Moana does actually feature the studio's return to hand-drawn animation — albeit in a small role. The character of Maui has a living tattoo, Mini Maui, which was drawn by hand in the traditional style rather than produced on a computer, according to Collider's Haleigh Foutch. So Disney fans who are clamoring for an unaltered, old school feel may want to opt for non-3D tickets in order to see the 2D animated sequences in their natural habitat.

Overall, I'd definitely say that seeing Moana in 3D is worth it; unless you're more interested in going for that old-fashioned Disney feel, in which case the scenes produced in 2D animation will allow you to save a couple bucks on your ticket. Oh, what the heck, you might as well just go see the movie twice.